Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any boy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena . . . for her own good.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him.

Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers . . . who will she choose?

Description from widipedia:The first volume of the series introduces the reader to Elena Gilbert a popular and beautiful high school student in Fell's Church, Virginia and her best friends Bonnie and Matt. A former childhood friend, Caroline, is also introduced and revealed to be Elena's antagonist. As their senior year at Robert E. Lee High School begins, Elena meets and becomes involved with a mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore. As Elena and Stefan fall in love, strange attacks begin to happen in the town and Elena discovers that Stefan has a dark secret—he is a centuries-old vampire. Soon after Elena and Stefan meet, another charismatic stranger later revealed to be Stefan's estranged elder brother, Damon Salvatore, begins to make appearances. The reader learns that the brothers both fell in love with a young vampire named Katherine in Renaissance Italy. Fueled with rage at Katherine's refusal to choose one brother over the other and her subsequent suicide, Stefan and Damon kill each other in a sword fight. They are interred in the family crypt but soon awaken as vampires, at which point they part ways until they encounter each other once more at the beginning of the novel. The Awakening ends with Elena seeking out Damon, whom she believes to be the prime suspect in Stefan's disappearance after the townspeople begin to suspect him for being behind numerous violent animal attacks and the recent murder of the high school's subst history teacher.

My thoughts:

In-a-word: selfish

Finally, finally finished reading this. It was tough going while watching the TV series. The book has a different feel with characters that don't totally match up with the TV series characters. I read the book with this cover and found that it just does not match the innards. The cover with Stefan below is a better fit. The cover posted above with the crow works too, but has a xmas-sy feel to it. Anyhoo if you'd like to have my copy, let me know in comments below.

At first I did not like how this story was going mainly because I had the TV version warring with it in my head. But, as I continued the read I began to get into the story and accept the book characters as they are.

The story does have a different take on a vampire love story. An unusual love triangle where the girl/woman has the upper hand.

The book ends with a cliffhanger so I must read book 2 to continue the story. The big question I have is what is the connection between Katherine and Elena other than their appearance? You can say that this story also fits into the Mystery genre.

Interesting European folklore (from Scotland?):

One of the characters mentions a way to find out who your future spouse by way of old ritual called the Dumb Supper. You create a place setting at dining room table with one plate, one glass, and one set of silverware without uttering a word. Then you light a single candle in a candleholder in the center of the table and position yourself behind the chair with the place setting.

According to Bonnie, on the stroke of midnight she was supposed to pull the chair back and invite her future husband in. At that point, the candle would blow out and she would see a ghostly figure in the chair.

-page 175

Zombie sighting:Several zombies turned as Elena came in. Their grinning skulls visible through the rotting flesh of their faces.pg 187

His entry called “Gather the 13” poses a question about horror, myths and lore and thirteen bloggers from different cultural background and genre preferences will answer this question from their cultural background.

The questions asked of me was:

What scary stories about monsters and ghosts did you grow up with?

I'll preface my post with an excerpt below as you'll have to go to Harry's site to read the rest of my contribution. BTW, I'm number 6.

I grew up in the United States so my background is very American. I had parents who got into the whole assimilation process that I hardly have any touches of my ethnic background of the Philippines. I would like to share Filipino scary folklore but all I can give you are some lumpia and pancit recipes. However, I did do a post on the Wak-Wak that may be of interest. I recently encountered this deadly Filipino paranormal creature while trolling the internet.

Yeah, so like many Americans all I have in my scary knowledge base are the the fly from The Fly, shark from Jaws, zombies from Romero's Night of the Living Dead, Jason from Halloween, Freddy from Nightmare on Elm Street and Chucky from Child's Play. Sorry to say, I haven't seen any recent stuff in the theatre except for Zombieland.

I have been exploring horror films from other countries though. Interesting perspectives.

OK, back to the question at hand...

Excerpt from Harry's site:Below is a campfire ghost story my Uncle told me in the 70's that I thought at the time was unique and one that he created. I'd get the shivers after listening to this story every time he told it. For he repeated this tale many times during my childhood as I have younger siblings and cousins who were introduced this tale. read more here

After you read my entry it's pretty tame. I know. But, actually it is a good thing that I haven't really encountered anything so traumatic. For me, all things scary are found in books and film.

And, I'm curious to know if you have come across the scary story I mentioned.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Description from the amazon:The novel, which tells the story of a journalist investigating the apparently simultaneous deaths of four teenagers, begins as a traditional mystery. But it glides smoothly into horror when the journalist discovers that all four victims watched a videotape that guaranteed their deaths in one week if they did not do a certain thing (details are missing from the tape).

If the journalist can't figure out what happened, he, too, the tape prophesizes, is doomed. Told with a minimum of horror cliches, the novel creates a sense of slowly mounting dread, as though something unpleasant is inevitable, and we are powerless to stop it.

My thoughts:In-a-word(s): psychic energy

I was exposed to both movie versions of Ring before reading this. Both the Japanese and American versions were horrifically terrific and different in their own ways.

The book is no different. The pacing is slower but lots more sleuthing and character development goes on in the book.

The book also gets into describing and breaking down the meaning of the individual scenes that flash by in the infamous video. The movie versions explain some but not all of the scenes.

And, lots more interesting info about psychic paranormal activity.

What it is comes down to is a human need. You'll have to read the book to find out which. We humans are so needy... even in the afterlife.

OMG, there's more to the ghostie Sadako than meets the eye... literally.

Description from the amazon:Stranded in a snowstorm, a woodcutter meets an icy spirit in the form of a woman. She spares his life on the condition that he never tell anyone about her. A decade later he forgets his promise. (duh-duh-dum-dumb)

My thoughts:In a word: brrrrr

Actually the woman in the snow was a ghost, goddess, vampire combo. She drained one victim of blood (like a vampire) before disappearing into the snow (like a ghost). She spares another's life because he is "young" and "pretty" (human-like feelings). Then later turns herself into human form to be with the young man (goddess-like powers).

Woman in the snow says:

I intended to treat you like the other man. But I cannot help feeling some pity for you, -- because you are so young... You are a pretty boy, Minokichi; and I will not hurt you now. But, if you ever tell anybody -- even your own mother -- about what you have seen this night, I shall know it; and then I will kill you... Remember what I say!

You know the man is doomed. Because being human, it is inevitable that the promise would one day be broken. Why do gods toy with humans so?

I liked the snippets of a woodcutter's life in this story. From preparing meals to making sandals, it is portrayed as a simple one but rich with love - for awhile at least.

I wanted to mention that the Criterion Collection film version is colorized. The colors are amazing and add so much to the story. I originally saw this in black and white and some of the scenes didn't come across as effectively.

Wikipedia says:Yuki Onna (snow woman) is a spirit or yōkai in Japanese folklore. She is a popular figure in Japanese animation, manga, and literature. Yuki-onna is sometimes confused with Yama-uba ("mountain crone"), but they are not the same.

and

Some legends say the Yuki-onna, being associated with winter and snowstorms, is the spirit of someone who perished in the snow. She is at the same time beautiful and serene, yet ruthless in killing unsuspecting mortals. Until the 18th century, she was almost uniformly portrayed as evil. Today, however, stories often color her as more human, emphasizing her ghost-like nature and ephemeral beauty.

and

What Yuki-onna is after varies from tale to tale. Sometimes she is simply satisfied to see a victim die. Other times, she is more vampiric, draining her victims' blood or "life force." She occasionally takes on a succubus-like manner, preying on weak-willed men to drain or freeze them through sex or a kiss.

Description from the amazon:Meet Milo, a closet writer who emerges from his dull, SPAM-flavored retirement to become an unseen force in the literary world. But when Milo's illicit ghostwriting is nearly exposed on national television, his options are limited. In a world of egotistical, no-talent authors and duplicitous, back-stabbing publishers, how can Milo achieve the recognition he deserves?

My thoughts:In-a-word(s): it takes two, baby

No flowery or long descriptive paragraphs here. The text is short and (not) sweet. Yes, I'm talking the writing style. It is quite different than the norm. Hey, similar to how I write. ;-D

If you are a Dexter fan or familiar with the premise, then you'll appreciate this story even more.

Like in the Dexter tv series, you get pulled into a relationship with a killer and begin to sympathize with him and his situation. Ugh, you don't wanna but you do.

Although there's murder involved, the mystery lies elsewhere. The murders become secondary in importance as you try to puzzle out Milo's mystery.

Check out the Lit & Life interview with Barry.Excerpt:L&L: "Only Milo" is really a commentary on the literary industry. Did you write from personal experience, research or is it strictly your own opinions?

Barry: Mainly my own opinions. In the academic world, I did have research data “stolen” by two of my Ph.D. program professors and received no credit when it was published. But most of Milo’s views were created during the writing process.

It should be obvious that the best writing is not often what gets published or read. Fame, wealth, celebrity and scandal are far more important factors and I think that is a commentary on society as much as it is on the literary industry.

I just finished reading the horror-paranormal-thriller Ring by Koji Suzuki (review will be up soon). The Ring is so eerie and just right for the Halloween season. I was so impressed with it that I'm going to continue with the trilogy and read Spiral next. But, today's book fashion is featuring the last of the storyline, Loop.

Description from amazon.com:The conclusion of Suzuki's Ring trilogy is a highly cerebral metaphysical thriller--one that once again turns the story inside out in a self-referential swirl not unlike the one that gives rise to consciousness itself.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I Want You Back!written by E. Van Lowe (author of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie)illustrated by Tatiana EL-Khouri

Release date: December 2009

-because it's a funny, thrilling paranormal YA novella and it's free

I Want You Back! is a free E- chapter book (with illustrations) available to subscribers of E. Van Lowe website. Go here to subscribe.

Each new chapter (10 or more, still being written) will be sent to subscribers via email every time a new chapter is available starting in December. One to two chapters per week. FREE.

Description from E. Van Lowe:When we meet our 16 year old protagonist, Emy, she tells us:To begin with, I’m not a nice girl. Don’t get me wrong, I used to be a nice girl. I used to be kind, and helpful, considerate and thoughtful. The kind of girl who went to all of her boyfriend’s games, even though she hates basketball; the kind of girl who helped her boyfriend study for his English final while she should have been studying for her own calculus final—and maybe she would have done better than that C; the kind of girl the boys at school lovingly call, oh, what’s that cute little name they have for us again? Oh, yes—Doormat.

I Want You Back! is the story of 16 year-old, Emy Grant, who uses magic to ensnare the boy of her dreams.

Description from imdb:In ancient Kyoto, a samurai decides to leave his poor but beloved wife and become rich marrying a wealthy wife. He misses his first loved wife, and years later, when he returns to her, he finds a surprise waiting for him.

My thoughts:In-a-word(s): flying hair

Not a usual haunting. The ghost in the story is of a gentle sort that haunts through daydreams. She inserts herself into her ex-husband's thoughts in the most odd times like when he is on horseback in the middle of a bow and arrow competition.

The constant haunts eventually guides the ex-husband back to his home town and first wife.

After an evening of sweet reunion, the reality of the ghostly situation is revealed and the ex-husband is undone in a horrifying way. eeek!

Women: "In Junichiro Tanizaki’s ‘Ineiraisan’, one of whose themes is the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense, the reason why a married woman wears ‘ohaguro’ is to emphasize ‘oshiroi’ (white powder). During the Edo Era, women of the middle class lived in a dark house. Only candles lit up the rooms. The room was dark, a woman’s kimono was also dark, as well as her teeth. And women applied ‘oshiroi’ to their faces in order not to show their expression.

It is thought that ‘ohaguro’ is effective in making an expressionless face. The black of ‘ohaguro’ was in sharp contrast with the face white with ‘oshiroi’ and had the effect of emphasizing it. ...

By shaving her eyebrows and dyeing the teeth black, the changes of feeling do not appear in her expression. Thus expression is extinguished. That is, one may say that ‘ohaguro’ is the culture which hides expression[,] which was thought to be one of the elements of a beauty. ‘Ohaguro’ came to distinctly represent age, occupation, and marital status. This meant that a woman became obedient as a subordinate to her husband because black cannot be dyed with other colors. It is clear that black has a deep connection with the idea of fidelity.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Description from imdb:The drama based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats' untimely death at age 25.

Tagline: First Love Burns Brightest

Memorable quote:John Keats: (about writing poetry) It ought to come like leaves to a tree, or it better not come at all.

My thoughts:In-a-word(s): exquisite

Such beauty is found in the minutia of this movie. I loved the scenes with close-ups on hand-stitching, reading letters, walking in the heath.

I just had to see this film on the big screen for the scenery and for the costumes. I certainly got what I expected - a delightful and romantic movie. However, the ending is harsh but true. Campion gives us a gut-wrenching scene when Fanny finds out about Keats' death. You'll need a hankie or two or three or four.

The music soundtrack by Mark Bradshaw was just as lovely. There is one scene where the men gather together for a human orchestra. Their voices alone were woven together for a song. Whoa, such sounds tugs at the heart.

Jane Austen sighting:In the end credits there is a Jane Austen organization mentioned. The credits zipped by too fast for me to read properly but I think it may have been in relation to the dance scene???

Sunday, October 25, 2009

I Want You Back will be a free E- chapter book (with illustrations) available to fans of E. Van Lowe, author of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie.

To get it, all one has to do is subscribe to E. Van Lowe's website and you will get the first chapter this coming December.

Each new chapter (10 or more, still being written) will be sent to subscribers via email every time a new chapter is available. One to two chapters per week. FREE. The awesome illustrations are being done by good friend Tatiana.

Description from E. Van Lowe:

When we meet our 16 year old protagonist, Emy, she tells us:

To begin with, I’m not a nice girl. Don’t get me wrong, I used to be a nice girl. I used to be kind, and helpful, considerate and thoughtful. The kind of girl who went to all of her boyfriend’s games, even though she hates basketball; the kind of girl who helped her boyfriend study for his English final while she should have been studying for her own calculus final—and maybe she would have done better than that C; the kind of girl the boys at school lovingly call, oh, what’s that cute little name they have for us again? Oh, yes—Doormat.

I Want You Back is the story of 16 year-old, Emy Grant, who uses magic to ensnare the boy of her dreams.

Sign up now and get the first chapter of I Want You Back upon its release this coming December, by subscribing to E. Van Lowe's website.

With blogging comes some organization of thoughts and a creation of to-do lists written down or hovering in the forefront of the brain.

Everyday through the end of the month, I will post blog to-do items I've received from my Only Milo book giveaway entries.

Rebecca, you're gonna have to tell us more about this post-it. I'm guessing your New Zealand authors? or books about New Zealand?

*post-it reminder blurb created byRebecca of Everything To Do With Books

Note from Rebecca:

In New Zealand October is the month called New Zealand book month where authors from New Zealand are celebrated and you're encouraged to read books by these authors. For the month of October I've been posting up review of books written by authors from New Zealand. Which is where I'm from.

The Hannya mask with its horns and sharp fangs is probably the best known of all Noh masks. The mask expresses the fury of a woman turned demon through jealousy and anger and who revenges by attacking.

I read the first part of this Japanese Horror just to get a flavor for the book. The mask pictured here was mentioned so I googled to see what it looks like. The image was effective is giving a boost of adrenaline. Scary demon!

The description of the mask sets up the story up pretty well for me. I watched the American version of the movie and remember an angry female spirit.

I'll finish up with this book by the end of the week for a proper review.

Dewey of The Hidden Side of the Leaf began the read-a-thons. She passed away quite suddenly (at least suddenly to the book blogging community) last November 2008, which is why the read-a-thon has been renamed in her honour.

While I did not know Dewey, I can see that her book loving spirit has been kept alive through read-a-thons like these. Thanks to Dewey's past efforts the book blogging community comes together twice a year to share in the love of books and blogging.

Fizzy Thoughts Musical challenge is to post a song that reminds you of the read-a-thon, or that you love to read to, or that makes you think of a particular book.

Inspired by what entertainment means in the essay I just read

Trickster in a Suit of Lights:
Thoughts on the Modern Short Story
by Michael Chabon - my review

I present a ditty from one of my top favorite movies:

Spectacular Spectacular

from Moulin Rouge (2001) movie

Zidler:
Spectacular, Spectacular
No words in the vernacular
Can't describe this great event
You'll be dumb with wonderment
Returns are fixed at ten percent
You must agree, that's excellent
And on top of your fee

All:
You'll be involved artisticly....

Chorus:
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years

Various:
Elephants!

Bohemians!

Indians!

and courtesans!

Acrobats!

and juggling bears!

exotic girls!

fire eaters!

Muscle men, contortionists
Intrigue, danger,

Tolouse:

and romance

All:

Electric lights, machinery
Oh, the electricity!

So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty... years....

Spectacular, Spectacular
No words in the vernacular
Can describe this great event
You'll be dumb with wonderment

The hills are alive, with the sound of music

So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years

Duke:
Yes, but what happens in the end?

Christian:

*cough*
The courtesan and sitarman
are pulled apart by an evil plan

Satine:
But in the end she hears his song

Christian:
And their love is just too strong...

Duke:
It's a little bit funny
this feeling inside

All:
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty years

Christian:
The sitar player's secret song
helps flee the evil one
Though the tyrant rants and rails
It is all to no avail.

Zidler:
I am the evil maharaja
You will not escape

Satine:
Oh Harold, no one could play him like you could!

Zidler:
No one's going to.

All:
So exciting
Will make them laugh, will make them cry
So delighting

Duke:
And in the end should someone die?

All:
So exciting
The audience will stomp and cheer
So delighting
It will run for fifty... years...

I was pleasantly surprised. The essay tackles the question of what entertainment means to Chabon and to us. Then too, goes into what Chabon thinks has become of short fiction aka short stories.

Primarily a fiction novel reader, I have a new appreciation for short stories after reading this essay and my various short stories read for this current read-a-thon.

I'm toying with the idea of a short story meme feature. Most likely a monthly event.

Steampunk sighting:

The handsome Vintage Internationals edition of Nabokov's Ada, or, Ardor--an extended riff on alternate-world and time theories and a key early example in the retro-futuristic subgenre of science fiction that years later came to be know as steampunk--would look out of place in the science-fiction section, with the blue-foil lettering, the starships, the furry-faced aliens, the electron-starred vistas of cyberspace. Ada, therefore is not science fiction.

I got a closer shot of Seal Rock which is home to local seals and pelicans.

The Cliff House restaurant is there to the right.

On with the survey...

1. What are you reading right now?

I going to start on an essay in Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon

It's non-fiction. I know. Not usually recommended for a read-a-thon because it could be dry. But I've been itching to start reading this one. Plus the fact that I'm refreshed from a walk outside, I think I can tackle one story.

2. How many books have you read so far?

I've read short stories instead of complete books. I will continue this way except for a graphic novel which I can definitely complete tonight.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Looking forward to reaching the last item on my list, The Awakening by L. J. Smith.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Yes, I told the hubby that the day was for me. He was very good about not scheduling anything that required my attendance.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

No interruptions.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

The time seems to fly during the daylight hours, but slows down at dark time. hmmm.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

None so far.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Stock up on ready-made meals and snacks.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Yes, that's why I had to go outside and take a walk. Eyes were getting droopy.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

Changing the reading location and drinking sips of water now and then.